The police in Osun state have apprehended a housemaid identified as Olayemi Lawrence for stealing and trying to abduct the employer, Eunice Fateye, on Tuesday. 

The suspect appeared before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Osogbo. The 23-year-old Lawrence had allegedly broken into the residence of Fateye and stolen some of her personal effects and money. The police prosecutor, Abiodun Fagboyinbo, while addressing the court, said Olayemi, in December 2020 in Ilesa-Ijesha, entered the residence of Fateye and stole mobile phones valued at N150,000. 

Fagboyinbo also alleged that the defendant stole an ATM card belonging to the woman and withdrew a sum of N305,000 from her account. After perpetrating the act, the prosecutor claimed that the defendant threatened to raze the house of her boss if she refused to send her a sum of N500,000, adding that Olayemi also sent threat messages to her. 

The offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 410 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap. 34 Vol. Il Laws of Osun State 2002. Olayemi, however, pleaded not guilty to the five counts of attempted kidnapping, attempted arson and burglary. Okobe Nagite, who announced appearance for the defendant, moved oral bail application for her, but the application was opposed by the prosecutor.

 Ruling on the application, Magistrate Adebayo Ajala directed that the matter be moved to Ibokun since the offences were not committed under her magisterial district. Ajala remanded the defendant in the Ilesa Custodial Centre and adjourned the matter till January 18, 2021.